ATLANTA — A one-block stretch of Edgewood Ave. in Atlanta will be closed to vehicle traffic this summer, in a response to some of the street-racing and drag-laying observed in the area last summer.
The block between Jackson St. and Boulevard, which is home to bars including the Georgia Beer Garden, Joystick Gamebar, and Sister Louisa's, will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
The measure was expected to take effect on May 28. However, it's now expected to start the weekend of June 4. Barriers will be in place on the weekends starting Friday mornings and being removed Monday mornings.
District 2 Atlanta City Councilman Amir Farokhi told 11Alive he and District 5 Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong legislated the policy.
It will continue until Sept. 12.
The emergence of street racing as a public safety issue last year became a focus of some city and state politicians, culminating with the passage of a bill to institute enhanced penalties for street racing in the Georgia General Assembly.